The first blocks in the Fat Quarter Shop Autumn Nights sew-along are these Wonky Stars. Fast and easy, and quite forgiving, since there is plenty of room for the points. I am a bit behind with this project due to losing a couple of weeks in my Great Blog Migration drama. I picked up my starched fabric and dusted off my pattern, and got started this past weekend. I hope to finish the upcoming leaf and pumpkin blocks this week.
Twice a year, Fat Quarter Shop hosts free sew-alongs. In late summer, a Christmas/holiday-themed mystery project is offered, and in the Fall, there is usually a Halloween-themed mystery project. This year, they switched out the Halloween project for an autumn-themed one. The projects are always small, perfect for a wall hanging or larger table topper. It also is not a big time commitment, since the sew-along only lasts three weeks, with the fourth week being finishing instructions.
I’ve done the Halloween projects in the past and have really enjoyed the results. I’ve also done two of the Christmas sew-alongs, and they turned out super cute. Even for those of you who aren’t wild about a mystery project, these smaller quilts don’t cost you much in the way of fabric or time. And you can’t beat a free pattern, right?
Kimberley Jolly offers weekly YouTube tutorials on the block construction, and the Facebook page is full of supportive and friendly quilters who share photos and encouraging comments with each other. Best of all, the patterns from past Halloween and Christmas sew-alongs are still free on the Fat Quarter Shop website.
Have any of you participated in a Fat Quarter Shop sew along? Joining in on one is equal parts creative challenge and community fun. Each week brings a new block, and it’s exciting to see how fabrics come together into a design that begins to reveal itself with every stitch. The shared pace keeps you motivated, and sharing progress photos on the FQS Facebook page makes it feel like a giant quilting bee. It’s not just about finishing a quilt, but about enjoying the process, learning new techniques, and celebrating small victories along the way. The real joy is knowing you’re sewing alongside quilters everywhere, connected through fabric and creativity.
9 Responses
The soft colors are pretty & I like that the blocks have plenty of room for the points. I’m not a sew-along participant, but I haven’t really tried one, either. Busy week ahead, so I don’t think I’m going to get much accomplished in my sewing room. 🙃
I plan on having just the opposite kind of week. I have absoluely nothing on the calendar! I started the day by making homemade white bread and a loaf of cranberry bread. Later I hope to sew and read my latest book. Clam chowder for dinner!
I’m a big fan of FQS! I try to do one of the free stitch-a-longs every year– they also have a free Valentine pattern each year. Best of all, they are ALWAYS free– so if you’ve never done one, you can go back and pick and choose your favorites. This year I went with Up on the Rooftop, which still needs a few stitches– heehee. And I have a couple of kits from past years that still are looking for any stitches! Can’t wait to see your finish– also waiting to see the pumpkin finish! xox
Sewing the Pumpkin Spice project together hasn’t been bad at all. For some reason I thought it was a diagonal set, but I was wrong, I have been happily sewing the rows together and know I will get it together this week.
I had forgotten about the FQS Valentine’s freebie sew along. I also think it is so generous of them to keep those free sew along patterns on their website so we can go back and make the projects if we missed them first time around.
Your Up On the Rooftop came out so cute!
I’ve not made wonky stars, but they do look very effective in a quilt – they sparkle.
Wonky stars aren’t my favorite but I like yours very much!
I seem to go my own way most of the time when beginning a quilt, sometimes inspired by a book photo and pattern rather than joining sew-alongs. Always trying to use up my stash, too!
Still seem to be in the lupus flare morass of zero energy. Bother!
Hugs!
I hope you start to feel better soon Barbara.
I’m a big fan of Fat Quarter Shop but this is the first Quilt along that I have participated in. You are right. They are small and quick to make. Working on finishing now.
Love FQS quitalongs! It’s nice because they are small projects usually and you can use up stash if you can’t score a kit!